Hi, I'm
Jessica Ritchie,
Editor and Writer
Writing a book is an incredible accomplishment, the culmination of hundreds of hours crafting a world and its characters. Congratulations!
I perform developmental editing, line editing, proofreading and writing consultations, editing to Chicago style primarily in the sci-fi, fantasy and general contemporary literature genres.
My goals beyond those more obvious parts of my job description are: that your story is its best self for your reader, preservation of your voice, for you to grow as a writer and for you to move forward in your publishing journey with confidence.
I do not edit in the self-help, religious/spiritual or business genres.
I encourage worlds and characters as nuanced and diverse as our own. If that sentence made you make a face, I suggest another editor.
Jessica had great attention to detail. Her knowledge of grammar is exemplary. I learned a lot from reviewing the work. Also, I feel confident with my book going into the next stages of the publication process.
– Zoiy, fantasy romance author
From final first draft to polished and published
Your story deserves to be its best self. Let’s get it there.
Developmental Editing
We’ll focus on overarching and foundational components of storytelling, like structure, plot holes, narrative flow, character development and pacing.
Proofreading
The final finessing.
You’re done changing scenes, phrasings and other structural issues. You need one last set of eyes for any errors left behind.
Writing Consultation
For whatever reason, it’s just not coming together. Or maybe you’d just like to add further tools to your writer’s toolbox. Let’s work on craft together.
Jessica was very thorough in her editing of my nonfiction book, which included extensive fact-checking. . . . I was very satisfied with her work.
– Edward, nonfiction author
What's next?
No matter where you are in your publishing journey, finding the right editor is crucial. You need a real human—someone who understands your voice and vision, who will notice things like repetition and appreciates wordplay. (See my AI credo.)
Choosing an editor is an important step, and I want to make that process easier for you. That’s why I offer a free sample edit; it gives you a chance to see the quality of my work, and it allows me to provide an accurate timeline tailored to your project needs.
The free sample edit isn’t just about showing you my skills; it’s about understanding your voice and goals so I can provide the best editorial roadmap. If your manuscript falls outside my areas of expertise or schedule, I’m happy to recommend a trusted editor who I think might be the perfect fit.
Start by filling out my contact form. Let’s take the next step together and elevate your manuscript to its full potential.